One of our new writers Ross Casey (@RossCasey24) found 7/2 and 11/8 winners for us last night. Here’s his favourite fancies from Thursday’s 8PM kick-offs.
Atalanta v Dortmund | Thursday 22nd February 2018, 20:05 | BT Sport
This was an absolutely thrilling game in the first leg last week with Michy Batshuayi saving Dortmund's blushes from 2-1 down to pull off a remarkable 3-2 win. Those two away goals are a real worry however, as a 1-0 win for Atalanta will of course now be enough to send them through to the last 16.
However, Atalanta's home form is worth a look since their 1-0 win over Lyon in this competition back in December. After that impressive win which was their eighth home win in 11 home games, their performances and results have taken a downward spiral.
Since that victory they have picked up just two wins in seven and have proven unable to defeat the better sides in Serie A on home soil with Lazio, Juventus and Napoli all proving too difficult to beat.
I put Dortmund in that category of teams too, so even though they are in a terrific position to qualify with a win, I will take the 3/5 available with Marathonbet on backing Dortmund double chance.
The Bundesliga side arrive into this game in excellent form, a seven match unbeaten run with their last four all being victories. They have lost five of 18 away from home, so odds of 3/5 on them not to lose in Italy seems fair.
Red Bull Salzburg v Real Sociedad | Thursday 22nd February 2018, 20:05 | BT Sport
Real Sociedad are the Kings of the Europa League. They top the statistics charts for most shots (121), most goals (18) and also have the top assist maker in Sergio Canales (5).
That thirst for goals continued in the first leg against Salzburg with two more netted in the 2-2 draw. However a last minute equaliser has put the home side here in pole position for success.
That won't change the way that Sociedad approach this one though. Even had they won 2-1 in the first leg, they would attack as that is their best approach thanks to their less than impressive defence (they have conceded 37 in La Liga), so to back them to score first in this one appeals at 11/10 with bet365.
Sociedad have scored an incredible 17 goals in their last seven matches heading into this one and can break the very good Salzburg defence tonight – despite the fact they have only conceded one in their last eight home matches.
Best Bets
Atalanta v Dortmund – Dortmund Double Chance (3/5 Marathonbet)
Salzburg v Real Sociedad – Real Sociedad To Score First (11/10 bet365)
